Wolverine demography and ecology in southcentral Alaska : Project outline and Phase I progress report
Golden HN, Route WT, Becker EF. 1993. Wolverine demography and ecology in southcentral Alaska : Project outline and Phase I progress report. Alaska Department of Fish and Game
This cooperative research project report describes the results of phase 1 of a three-phase project investigating wolverines in southcentral Alaska. Phase 1 began in 1991 as a two-year pilot study to: 1) determine wolverine distribution and relative numbers; 2) evaluate the logistics needed to capture, mark, and monitor individuals; 3) establish baseline density estimates; 4) analyze harvest patterns and levels, and 5) develop a wolverine population model. Aerial track counts in winter showed 11.88 tracks/1000 km2 for the northern Chugach Mountains; 24.91/1000 km2 for the eastern Talkeetnas; and 19.57/1000 km2 for the western Wrangell Mountains. Wolverine harvests declined from 1971 through 1991 in Game Management Units 11 and 13. The ratio of males to females was determined from 24 purchased carcasses: it was 7:1 in GMU 11, 4:1 in GMU 13, and 3:1 overall. Most tracks in the Wrangell Mountains were seen along the Dadina River, Kuskulana River, Gilahina River, and Lakina River below 1200 m ASL. Data from four wolverines radio-collared in the Talkeetnas are provided, as are as work plans for phase 2 which is scheduled to begin in July 1993 as a five-year study.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Golden, Howard; Route, William; Becker, Earl
- Date of Issue
- 1993-02
- Publisher
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Units
- WRST
- Keywords
- Aerial Survey, Aerial Surveys, Alaska (south-central), Animal Communities (Wildlife), Animal Studies, Chugach Mountains, Demography, density estimate, Distribution, Ecology, Furbearer, Gulo gulo, Gulo luscus, Harvest, Hunting, Management, Population, population model, Talkeetna mountains, Terrestrial Mammals, Wildlife Management, Wolverine, wolverines, Wrangell Mountains